Katie Elizabeth (Cox) Cottrell

Katie Elizabeth (Cox) Cottrell was born on February 17, 1925 in Galena, Kansas and passed away July 13, 2022 in Seymour, MO, at the age of 97 years, 4 months and 26 days.

She was born to the union of William “Buff” Cox and Mae Levona (Greenwood) Cox, and was the youngest of 9 children. Prior to her birth, she lost 3 infant siblings, Charles Curtis, Gertha Grace, and Oliver Wendell. Katie lost her mother when she was 5 years old, And her father when she was nine. Two older siblings raised the four younger children in Galena. She was later preceded in death by her 2 brothers, Melvin Russell and Porter Merl, and 3 sisters, Dorothy Faye, Levona Marie and Odessa Gyula.

During her Cherryville High School years, she lived with her grandparents in Davisville, MO. This is where she met the love of her life, Clent Cottrell. Following his high school graduation, Clent joined the U.S. Navy during World War II. At the end of Katie’s Junior year of high school, she moved to St. louis and worked in a munition’s factory. She later moved to Inglewood, CA, also working in munitions, and lived with her aunt and best-friend, Elsie Greenwood. During this time, Clent was stationed on-ship at Johnston Island in the South Pacific. Katie was waiting for him when he disembarked in California on July 14, 1945. They took a taxi to the nearest courthouse and were married.

To this union, 2 children were born, Ralph Dennis Cottrell, now deceased, and Janet Faye (Cottrell) Wells of Seymour, MO. Those who remain to mourn her passing are her daughter, Janet (David) Wells, 3 grandchildren, Kayellen Faye Inskip (Matt), Clent Howard Wells (Cami), and Kevin David Wells (Jessica),  and 7 great-grandchildren: McKenzie, Katie, C.J., Esther, Elizabeth, Kris, and Anderson; one dear brother-in-law, Leroy Britton, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Katie was a born-again Christian and a charter member of the Cherryville First Baptist Church. Clent and Katie lived and worked their entire married life on the family farm and business, Bowers and Cottrell, in Cherryville. Katie enjoyed going with Clent during his elk hunting trips in Gunnison, CO. In 1983, her beloved Clent passed away suddenly, by her side, at the same elk hunting camp in Gunnison. She continued to operate the store in Cherryville until her move to Marshfield, MO in 2009 to be near Janet and her family. Katie was a great example of love, strength and determination, even during times of great challenges and sorrow. She is now in the arms of Jesus and her beloved husband Clent.

The Family received friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at the Cherryville First Baptist Church in Cherryville, MO

A Memorial service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2022 with Pastor Clent Wells and Pastor Tim Plaster officiating. Special music of "Christ, Our Hope in Life and Death" and "How Great Thou Art" was played.

At Katie’s request, she was cremated. An inurnment at the Cherryville Baptist Church Cemetery was held immediately following the service.

Arrangements for cremation were under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home of Seymour, MO.

Local arrangements for services and inurnment were under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.

The Cottrell Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.

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